Table of Contents
1. Spring Festival – Lunar New Year
- The most important traditional festival in China, symbolizing reunion and the beginning of the new year.
2. Lantern Festival – Lanterns and Reunion
A celebration on the 15th day of the first lunar month, featuring the lighting of lanterns and eating glutinous rice balls.
3. Tomb-Sweeping Day – Memorial Day and Outing
- A festival held in early April each year to honor ancestors and enjoy the spring scenery.
4. Dragon Boat Festival – Dragon Boats and Zongzi
- A festival held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to commemorate Qu Yuan, with special activities including dragon boat racing and eating zongzi.
5. Qixi Festival – The Romantic Legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl
- The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, equivalent to China's Valentine's Day, celebrating loyal love.
6. Zhongyuan Festival – Respecting Ghosts and Ancestors
- The 15th day of the seventh lunar month, China's "Ghost Festival", expresses respect for the dead by offering sacrifices.
7. Mid-Autumn Festival - Reunion and Mooncakes
- The 15th day of the eighth lunar month, symbolizing family reunion and harvest celebration.
8. Double Ninth Festival - Climbing and Appreciating Chrysanthemums
- The 9th day of the ninth lunar month, a festival to pray for blessings, ward off evil spirits and commemorate ancestors.
China's traditional festivals perfectly reflect the profound cultural heritage and long historical heritage of the Chinese nation. Each festival not only shows the Chinese people's lifestyle and beliefs, but also incorporates many unique folk activities and traditional food. If you happen to be in China or plan to visit in the near future, choosing to take an in-depth cultural tour during China's major festivals will open a unique window for you to understand Chinese society and culture.
Among these festivals, the most important is undoubtedly the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. This is not only the grandest festival in China, but also an important day celebrated by many countries in Asia. However, in addition to the Spring Festival, China has many festivals with profound cultural significance, each of which can add unique scenery to your journey.
Below, we will briefly introduce you to several major Chinese festivals that are most worth experiencing. These festivals have a long history and profound cultural significance behind them. Whether it is traditional customs, celebrations, or festive food, they will bring unprecedented experience and touch to your trip to China.
1. Spring Festival – Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is considered the most important festival in Chinese tradition and is usually celebrated between January 21 and February 20 of the Gregorian calendar.
China does not use our standard (Gregorian) calendar, but uses its own lunar calendar. Therefore, due to the difference between the two calendars, the Chinese New Year does not start on January 1 every year, but on a certain day within the above time frame. The Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, marking the beginning of spring (in China, spring begins between early March and April). This is why people also call this festival the Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year.
There are many different myths behind this festival, but all of them contain a mythical monster called Nian. Nian liked to eat villagers, and according to legend, a wise man told the villagers that they could hang red scrolls on their doors and make loud noises to drive Nian away.
According to this folk tradition, the Chinese New Year is celebrated by beating gongs and drums and setting off firecrackers. We see everything turn red (from clothing to decorations) and we see a lot of lion dances (舞獅 wǔshī) to represent the New Year.
There are all kinds of traditions associated with the Lunar New Year. We need to say "gongxi" which means "congratulations" or "best wishes" and there is also the important tradition of red envelopes. Parents/elders give money in red envelopes to unmarried children and relatives to wish them good luck in the new year.
The Chinese New Year is also an important time for family reunions. The reunion dinner on New Year's Eve contains a lot of delicious food, which symbolizes abundance and happiness. For overseas Chinese, the Chinese New Year is also an important festival to get together with family.
2. Lantern Festival / Yuanxiao Celebrations
The Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo jié) is usually regarded as part of the Lunar New Year and is held on the fifteenth day after the Lunar New Year, which is generally between February 5 and March 7 in the Gregorian calendar, marking the end of the New Year celebrations.
During the Lantern Festival, lighting lanterns, admiring the moon, and setting off fireworks are traditional activities. The lanterns and fireworks flickering in the night sky constitute a visual feast. People also fly sky lanterns and make wishes, praying for good health, good luck, and a worry-free year.
Another popular activity during the Lantern Festival is eating glutinous rice balls, which are ball-shaped food made from glutinous rice flour. Each ball contains a sweet filling, whether it is white sugar, brown sugar, sweet sesame, peanuts, bean paste, chocolate sauce, or other. Glutinous rice balls can be eaten alone (steamed or fried), but are usually served with hot clear soup (savory) or hot ginger juice (sweet) according to your preference.
During the Lantern Festival, many people also participate in activities such as guessing lantern riddles and dragon and lion dances to add fun and atmosphere to the festival. This day is not only a continuation of the Spring Festival, but also a symbol of blessing and reunion. The Lantern Festival is not only a visual feast, but also an important festival carrying reunion and hope.
3. Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival (Qīngmíng Jié) is the fifth solar term of the lunar calendar and is usually celebrated on April 4, 5 or 6 of the Gregorian calendar. This day is also known as the "Tomb Sweeping Festival", as the name suggests, people remember and respect their ancestors by sweeping tombs.
The traditions of Qingming Festival mainly include sweeping tombs, adding new soil, clearing weeds, burning incense and paper money (representing money) to express respect for deceased relatives. At the same time, people will insert willow branches on the tombs and doorways, as willow branches are believed to drive away bad ghosts. If the tomb is in poor condition, the family will also repair it and place fresh plants or flowers.
This tradition can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-221 BC). At that time, the emperor and nobles would hold grand ceremonies and set up luxurious banquets to worship their ancestors and pray for blessings and family prosperity. However, during the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang simplified this custom by issuing an order in 732 AD that ancestral worship could be performed on the first day of Qingming Festival each year.
Another unique Qingming Festival tradition is kite flying. During the day, people fly kites with lanterns tied to them, which twinkle like stars at night, creating a charming night sky scene. Another interesting custom is to cut the string of the kite and let it fly away with the wind, which means to take away bad luck and pray for health and good luck.
4. Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie), also known as the "Dragon Boat Festival", is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (usually in May or June of the Gregorian calendar) every year. This festival is famous for dragon boat racing and eating rice dumplings, and its original purpose was to ward off evil spirits, pray for health and drive away disease.
In ancient China, May was considered a period of frequent plagues, floods, and bacteria breeding, causing many people to become sick or die. In order to bless peace, the ancient Chinese believed that dragons could bring blessings, so they built dragon-shaped boats and raced in rivers to symbolize their worship of the dragon god.
There are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, the most famous of which is to commemorate the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan lived in the Warring States Period. He was loyal to the State of Chu. Dissatisfied with the corrupt government and the decline of the country, he jumped into the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and committed suicide. In order to commemorate him, local people rowed boats to disperse the fish and shrimp in the river and threw zongzi to prevent fish from invading Qu Yuan's body.
Thus, the traditional customs of the Dragon Boat Festival came into being. Among them, eating zongzi has become a habit of every household. Zongzi is a triangular food made of glutinous rice, wrapped in bamboo leaves, with a variety of fillings, including sweet red dates, bean paste and salty bacon, egg yolk, etc.
The most attractive thing is the dragon boat race. This sport was originally to commemorate Qu Yuan, and later developed into a competitive activity with local characteristics. Today, dragon boat racing is not only a cultural heritage, but also a grand celebration to promote unity and cohesion.
5. Qixi Festival
Qixi Festival (Qīxī Jié), also known as "Chinese Valentine's Day", is a traditional festival celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month (approximately August in the Gregorian calendar) in commemoration of the tragic and romantic love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. This festival is similar to Valentine's Day in the West, full of meanings about love and reunion.
Festival Legend
The story of Qixi can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) and is recorded in the Book of Songs. According to the legend, the Cowherd was an orphan who lived with an old cow because of abuse by his sister-in-law. One day, the old cow told him that the fairy Weaver Girl in the sky would come to the human world to bathe. As expected, the Cowherd saw the beautiful Weaver Girl, and the two fell in love at first sight, married and gave birth to a son and a daughter. However, this happy life was discovered and stopped by the Jade Emperor. The Weaver Girl was forced to return to heaven, and the Cowherd followed her to the Milky Way, and finally, with the help of magpies, built a magpie bridge for them to meet. The Jade Emperor was moved by their true love and allowed them to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.
Festival customs
On the Qixi Festival, people look up at the starry sky, looking for the Altair and the Vega, and pray for love happiness and a happy marriage. At the same time, many young women also pray for wisdom and dexterity on this day, hoping to become a virtuous woman like the Vega. The star Deneb symbolizes the magpie bridge between the Cowherd and the Vega, and the starry sky on this day is particularly eye-catching.
Qixi Festival is not only celebrated in China, but also influenced the Tanabata Festival in Japan and the Tanabata Festival in Korea. The three countries share similar romantic legends and become a beautiful bridge of East Asian culture.
6. Zhongyuan Festival
Zhōngyuán Jié, also known as the "Ghost Festival" or "Yulanpen Festival", is a traditional festival held on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar (approximately August to September in the Gregorian calendar). This day is a special day for honoring deceased relatives and offering sacrifices to the dead, which is similar to Halloween in the West.
Festival legend
It is said that the Zhongyuan Festival originated in the Han Dynasty and is a continuation of the agricultural sacrifice festival. In the early days, it was mainly to thank the land god. However, with the introduction of Buddhist culture, this festival gradually incorporated the idea of the Yulan Festival, that is, offering sacrifices can redeem the suffering of the dead. People believe that July 15th is the day when the gates of the underworld open and the dead souls return to the world, so this day needs to be paid respect and appeased through sacrifices.
Festival customs
The activities of the Zhongyuan Festival include burning incense, burning paper money, offering food, lighting lanterns and praying for blessings. Many people will make offerings at home or in temples to entertain the souls. People believe that these rituals can resolve the grievances of the dead and bring peace to themselves and their families.
At the same time, this festival is also full of various taboos. For example:
- Don't hang clothes at night to avoid attracting ghosts.
- Be sure to go home before dark and avoid walking alone at night.
- It is not advisable to move or start a business, as it is believed that this time may bring bad luck.
- Avoid swimming at night, as it is said that the water easily attracts the dead.
- Do not whistle at night to avoid attracting ghosts.
- Avoid taking photos at night, as it is believed that the photos taken may contain uninvited guests.
The tradition of the Ghost Festival is still preserved in many places today. This is not only a remembrance of ancestors, but also reflects the Chinese people's awe of nature, life and soul.
7. Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhōngqiū Jié) is the second most important traditional festival in China after the Spring Festival. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (approximately in September or October in the Gregorian calendar) every year. The moon is the roundest and brightest on this day, which is considered to symbolize reunion and harvest, so it is also called the "Reunion Festival".
Festival Customs
One of the important traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival is eating mooncakes. Mooncakes are usually round, symbolizing reunion, and have a variety of fillings, such as lotus paste, red bean paste, and egg yolk. Mooncakes are not only a must-have snack for family reunions, but are also often used as gifts for relatives and friends. This makes the Mid-Autumn Festival also commonly known as the "Mooncake Festival".
In addition to eating mooncakes, family members often watch the moon together on Mid-Autumn Night, praying for the safety and happiness of their families. Many people also decorate their homes with lanterns or colored lights on this day to make the festival more colorful.
Origin and History
The history of the Mid-Autumn Festival can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), when people celebrated the harvest when the full moon was. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the Mid-Autumn Festival was officially listed as a court festival. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, this tradition further evolved into the Mid-Autumn Festival we are familiar with today.
The Legend of Chang'e Flying to the Moon
There are many moving stories behind the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the most famous legend is the story of Chang'e flying to the moon. Legend has it that Chang'e's husband Houyi became a hero for shooting down nine suns and obtained the elixir of immortality. However, an apprentice tried to steal the elixir, and Chang'e took it alone to protect it and flew to the moon. Houyi was heartbroken and served delicacies every year when the moon was at its fullest to express his longing. Since then, this day has become a festival for people to miss their loved ones and celebrate reunion.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only popular in China, but also spread to other Asian countries such as Vietnam and South Korea, becoming an important part of East Asian culture.
8. Double Ninth Festival
The Double Ninth Festival (Chóngyáng Jié), also known as the "Respect for the Aged Festival" or "Autumn Remembrance Festival", is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (approximately October in the Gregorian calendar) every year. "Double Ninth" means the repetition of "two nines", so it is also called the "Double Ninth Festival".
Festival customs
The celebrations of the Double Ninth Festival include climbing high to appreciate chrysanthemums, drinking chrysanthemum wine, inserting dogwood, eating flower cakes, etc. The custom of climbing high originated from the ancient people's belief in exorcising evil spirits and avoiding disasters. People believed that climbing mountains on this day could keep away plagues and increase blessings. Appreciating chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine express wishes for health and longevity. In addition, many people will sweep tombs and worship their ancestors during the Double Ninth Festival, similar to the Qingming Festival, to express their remembrance of their ancestors.
Festival Origin and Legend
The origin of the Double Ninth Festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty and is related to the ancient ritual of exorcising evil spirits. The most famous legend is the story of Heng Jing: During the Han Dynasty, a demon was causing trouble. Heng Jing, under the guidance of a master, carried dogwood leaves and chrysanthemum wine and finally got rid of the demon. This legend became the source of the Chongyang Festival custom, symbolizing overcoming difficulties and praying for well-being.
Modern significance
Today, the Chongyang Festival is also known as the "Respect for the Elderly Day", a day to express care and respect for the elderly. People spend this day accompanying their elders, organizing family gatherings or carrying out public welfare activities to promote the traditional virtues of respecting the elderly and loving the young.
The Chongyang Festival is not only celebrated in China, but also influenced Japan (Chrysanthemum Festival) and South Korea (Chongyang Festival), becoming a common festival in East Asian culture.
Finally, I want to say
These traditional Chinese festivals not only contain rich cultural connotations and historical heritage, but also express the good wishes for family reunion, ancestral worship and natural harmony. From celebrating the arrival of spring to remembering the dead, from praying for health and longevity to sharing the joy of harvest, each festival shows the Chinese nation's love for life and cherishment of interpersonal emotions. These festival cultures are not only an important part of Chinese cultural identity, but also gradually become a bridge connecting the world and spreading Chinese culture, allowing more people to feel the unique charm and cultural warmth of traditional festivals.
Share:
The invention and spread of paper: China's precious gift to the world
The Origin and Long History of Chinese Kites